Adventures on Instagram: Jordan Manley

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Tool of Choice?

You’ve probably seen some of Jordan Manley’s work before. A senior photographer for both Bike and Powder magazines, Manley has a dream jobs and the talent to match. However, a freak mountain bike accident in 2012 could have ended it all. During an editing break, Manley suffered a severe concussion when he fell on a classic singletrack near his home in British Columbia.

Manley turned to Instagram and photography during the healing process and even started a series called #dailywalk—a visual representation of his recovery. Today, Manley is back at it, making beautiful images that we should all get used to.

Manley: I shoot with an iPhone 5. Some images on my Instagram feed are also with a Nikon D600 and D4.

#Dailywalk

This image is the #dailywalk standout for me because it was kind of seminal within the series, which I began while healing from a bad concussion. During that time I wasn't able to do much of anything. I knew walking was healthy and important, and creating photos with an iPhone was somewhat tolerable, so I gave myself the (enjoyable) task of creating a pleasing image each day. Several months into it, I took this image of rain illuminated by a headlamp at night in the forest. It wasn't until the following morning that I realized why I liked it as much as I did; it was very similar to the visual symptoms I was having when I closed my eyes. From then on, I tried to make images that said something about the experience of having a concussion. It was very much a conversation with myself.

Favorite Filter?

Pro Tip?

I like to see how different professional photographers have chosen to use Instagram. Some of them just put up their best portfolio work (done with professional cameras), others chose only point-and-shoot moments with little consideration, and everything in between. When considering a post, I do my best to ignore like-ability of the potential image. Rather, I try to consider if the image's message—both what someone else might derive from it and what I get from it.

Biggest Hit?

This photo is for a book I'm working on; it's from an aerial shoot above Garibaldi Lake in Canada. It was a really beautiful flight, at sunrise, just after the first snowfall of the season. For me, the image is quite simple and doesn't contain any introspective dialog that some of my favorite Instagram images do. I'm glad people enjoyed it, though.

iPhone or DSLR?

The phone is almost always in my pocket, and my SLR isn't. As a matter of convenience, it gets used a lot. As capable as the iPhone is, the SLR (and increasingly the mirrorless Sony A7) are the necessary tools for the professional work that I do.

Favorite Follow?

If I had to chose, it would be @jeremykoreski. I love getting updates on West Coast surf culture and life on the water.

One of my new projects is to photograph people who live, work, forage, and recreate in the waters around British Columbia. This image is of Lorna, who without a wetsuit swims almost every day of the year in the waters of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm.